Battery Ferguson

Battery Ferguson (1906-1947) - Battery Ferguson was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 6 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Levett, Cushing's Island, Cumberland County, Maine. The battery was named in G.O. 78, 25 May 1903, after Major William Ferguson, U.S. Artillery, who was killed 4 Nov 1791, in action with Indians near the site of Fort Recovery, Ohio. Battery construction was completed and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 22 Jun 1906 at a cost of $ 58,500.00. Deactivated in 1947.

Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 6" M1900 guns mounted on M1900 Pedestal carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by Hodges back delivery shell hoists. No powder hoists were provided. Electrical power was furnished by the central power plant.

The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. The guns of Battery Ferguson were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program.